Ground Test Operator

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking Ground Test Operators to support flight testing and validation of autonomous delivery aircraft. You will handle test packages, operate ground infrastructure, and coordinate with engineering, flight ops, and maintenance teams to ensure safe, reliable testing.

Responsibilities include installing and maintaining Zipping Point Autokiosk systems, moving aircraft around test sites, and participating in large-scale test campaigns. Travel to mobile and remote sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow safety procedures in a high-tempo environment.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain.
• Willingness to work any shift and any day to support continuous flight test operations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, label, and process test packages for partner operational validation.
• Move Zip aircraft between docks, operational areas and maintenance facilities.
• Install, inspect, and maintain Zipping Point Autokiosk systems for readiness.
• Support flight operations in roles such as Visual Observer, Zipping Point Operator, or Technician.
• Deploy to mobile sites and assist with field testing campaigns and incident response.
• Identify and document operational issues and collaborate with engineering to troubleshoot and improve procedures.

Skills

Attention to detail

Outdoor work

Flexible shifts

Job description

About Zipline

Zipline is the world's largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world's largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

About Zipline

Zipline is the world's largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world's largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products. Our customers include the world's largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we've built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations. Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe. We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real‑world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people's lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

About You And The Role

Ground Test Operators support the flight testing and operational validation of autonomous delivery aircraft in a high-tempo test environment. In this role, you will execute test procedures, prepare delivery packages, operate ground infrastructure, and coordinate closely with engineering, flight operations, and maintenance teams to ensure safe and reliable testing. Ground Test Operators also support installation and servicing of Zipping Point Autokiosk systems, aircraft ground handling, and incident response operations. This role may include deployments to mobile or remote test sites to support field testing and large-scale operational campaigns.

What You'll Do

This role supports the execution and validation of operational testing for Zipline systems by preparing, labeling, and processing test packages for partner operational validation and loading them through automated kiosks and Zipping Point infrastructure. The position also involves safely moving Zip aircraft around the test site between docks, operational areas, and maintenance facilities, as well as installing, inspecting, and maintaining Zipping Point Autokiosk systems to ensure consistent operational readiness. Team members in this role contribute to large-scale flight test campaigns that enable high-volume operational validation. They may support flight operations in capacities such as Visual Observer, Zipping Point Operator, or Technician, playing a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable testing activities. The role may also require deployment to mobile platforms, including Ziplines mobile Test Site and other satellite test locations, to support distributed operational testing. Additionally, this position is responsible for responding to operational incidents, including the recovery of aircraft or field equipment and assisting with safety containment procedures when required. Team members are expected to identify and document operational issues, collaborate with engineering teams to support troubleshooting efforts, and contribute to the continuous improvement of procedures, testing workflows, and operational documentation.

What You'll Bring

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow operational procedures in a safety-critical environment
• Ability to work outdoors
• Ability to work any shift and any day of the week to support continuous flight test operations

Preferred

• Experience in aviation, UAV operations, or flight test environments
• Familiarity with autonomous systems or robotics platforms
• Experience operating industrial or heavy equipment such as forklifts, lifts, or other machinery
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical or operational systems

What Else You Need To Know

• Work is performed in an active flight test environment, both indoors and outdoors
• Role requires walking across large test areas and working around aircraft and ground equipment
• Ability to lift and move packages or operational equipment as part of daily work
• Work may involve operating or working around industrial equipment and heavy machinery
• Work may occur in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain, depending on testing requirements
• Travel to commercial sites & remote test sites may be required up to 30% of the time

Ground Test Operators play a critical role in enabling the safe and reliable testing of next-generation autonomous delivery systems. By supporting high-volume testing operations, maintaining critical ground infrastructure, and responding to field incidents, this role directly contributes to the development and deployment of advanced logistics technology.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Zipline's Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.